Shaler Area is proud to announce teacher Julia Igims was named semifinalist for the 2019 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.

Julia Igims is a special education teacher at Marzolf Primary School and was chosen by the selection committee of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National State Teachers of the Year, with the guidance and assistance of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to advance to the semifinalist round of the state Teacher of the Year selection process.

“I’m honored by the recognition, as there are so many teachers doing great work every day,” Ms. Igims said. “I see what I do as a gift and a vocation and not as a job.”

Ms. Igims has been an educator in Shaler Area for 20 years and currently teaches in an Intensive Support Classroom, which focuses on students with complex needs. Ms. Igims’ lessons concentrate on building foundational skills in students to help them master life skills throughout their education. Ms. Igims’ experiences in the classroom led to the co-creation of the Harbor Protective Sleeve with a fellow special education teacher. The sleeve, which is available through TFH Special Needs Toys, protects the forearms of students or teachers from aggressive, sensory-seeking, or injurious behaviors. Ms. Igims has a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education and a master’s degree in special education, both from Slippery Rock University.

The Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year program celebrates excellence in teaching, honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the young people of Pennsylvania, and selects a nominee for the National Teacher of the Year award.

Since 2013, Shaler Area has had 12 individual teachers recognized as state Teacher of the Year semifinalists, with some being recognized as semifinalists in multiple years. Shaler Area has had two teachers named finalists in the state Teacher of the Year program: high school teachers Greg Mason (2018) and Jade Leung (2016).